Most people know the term "ring of fire" as referring to the volcanoes and or earthquake prone areas, that encircle the Pacific Ocean, but this term has another meaning in the meteorology community.
Ring of fire refers to thunderstorms that develop around the periphery of a high pressure ridge.
Thunderstorms encounter this high pressure ridge and they are forced to take the area of less resistance around the high pressure area.
Areas under the ridge usually experience very hot and humid conditions, while areas around the periphery of the ridge experience periods of thunderstorms, along with cooler temperatures.
There was a classic "Ring of Fire" setup across the country on Sunday, August 9th.
A hot dome of high pressure setup across the eastern half of the country, bringing the hottest temperatures of the season into the Ohio Valley and to portions of the Mid Atlantic States.
Heat advisories were in effect across Central and Northern Illinois, Southeastern Wisconsin, extreme Southern Michigan, portions of Northern Ohio, and Indiana.
Areas along the periphery of this hot dome of air, experienced periods of strong to severe thunderstorms, throughout the day and into the evening hours on Sunday.
(Severe thunderstorm watch boxes issued around the ridge)
RADAR LOOP (AUGUST 9TH)
INFRARED SATELLITE LOOP (AUGUST 9TH)
Over 200 reports of severe weather occurred around the periphery of the ridge, with numerous reports of trees and powerlines blown down in several states. There were also unconfirmed reports of tornadoes in Allegany County, New York and in Clearfield County, Pennsylvania.
Several of the more notable severe weather reports on Sunday August 9th below:
- Grand Haven, Michigan: 35 YEAR OLD MALE WAS KILLED WHILE DRIVING ON 15000 BLOCK OF MERCURY DRIVE WHEN A 10 INCH DIAMETER OAK TREE BRANCH FELL ON HIS MOVING CAR. TWO PASSENGERS WERE NOT INJURED.
- Cloud County, Kansas: VEHICLES BLOWN OFF HIGHWAY FROM 5 MILES SOUTH TO 11 MILES SOUTH OF CONCORDIA
- Galeton, Pennsylvania: ROOFS OFF 2 BUILDINGS IN WESTERN GAINES TOWNSHIP. LARGE TREES DOWN.
- Lycoming, Pennsylvania: LARGE TREES DOWN COUNTYWIDE. NUMEROUS HOMES AND CARS DESTROYED BY FALLING TREES.
- Kent County, Michigan: TREES AND WIRES DOWN WITH ACTIVE FIRES
- Webster and Calhoun Counties in Iowa: EXTENSIVE TREE...WINDOW...ROOF...AND CROP DAMAGE FROM HIGH WINDS AND LARGE HAIL
- Dubuque County, Iowa: A MOBILE HOME BLOWN OFF ITS FOUNDATION AND OVER ONTO ITS ROOF. ALSO REPORTED NUMEROUS LARGE TREES DOWN WITH ROOTS PULLED OUT OF THE GROUND.
- Silver Creek, New York: EXTENSIVE STREET AND BASEMENT FLOODING. LAKE SHORE HOSPITAL ER FLOODED.
- Severance, Kansas: ROOF BLOWN OFF HOME. SEVERAL POWER POLES AND TREES BLOWN OVER NEAR THE HOME.
Several Reports on the Ring of Fire Effects
Iowa (severe storms)
Pennsylvania (severe storms)
Michigan (severe storms)
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